ROISSY — Anne Rigail has been appointed CEO of Air France, replacing Benjamin Smith who is CEO of the Air France-KLM Group and who was appointed acting CEO of Air France through the end of 2018.

Previously EVP Customer at Air France, Rigail takes up her new role as CEO Air France on Dec. 17.

“I am delighted that Anne Rigail is to become the new CEO of Air France,” said Smith. “Anne is a strong professional in the airline industry. Throughout her career, she has always paid particular attention to employees while implementing the many projects and transformations she has led, and placed the customer at the heart of everything she does. With the support and commitment of every single employee, I am confident we can rise to the challenges for Air France today, ensuring service excellence to all our customers. I have complete faith that Anne will succeed in transforming Air France. Together with Pieter Elbers, President and CEO of KLM, the Air France-KLM Group is taking an important step in its reorganization to reconquer its market position.”

Rigail joined Air Inter in 1991. In 1996, she was appointed head of Air France Customer Services at Paris-Orly. In 1999, she was became Director of Passenger and Baggage Connections at the Paris-Charles de Gaulle hub, and subsequently head of Customer and Baggage Products for Ground Operations.

In 2005, she was appointed head of the Paris-CDG Hub Operations Control Centre. She became VP Ground Operations at Paris-Charles de Gaulle in 2009. In 2013 she became EVP In-flight Services, in charge of Cabin Crew and in 2017 was appointed EVP Customer.